Oil company has yet to state decision on wellhead platform project

Husky Energy has yet to state publicly whether it will use a major construction project in Argentia to further develop the White Rose oil field off Newfoundland.

However, the provincial government has given the company the OK for taking the Argentia route, should the company so choose.

Husky’s proposed development was detailed in a submission for environmental assessment, noting it would involve a wellhead platform being built at the former naval base at Argentia, in a purpose-built graving dock.

The offshore installation, smaller than the gravity-based structures of Hibernia and Hebron, would be towed to the White Rose oilfield and tied back to the SeaRose FPSO.

The build would require laydown areas, a concrete batching plant, offices, medical clinic, mess hall and plenty of skilled workers. At the end of April, Placentia Mayor Bill Hogan said he believed at that time the project would happen in his area, rather than Husky taking the path of installing pre-fabricated subsea structures.

The proposed project was released only provincially today and with a few conditions.

There must be an approved groundwater monitoring plan in place before a graving dock is created, the Department of Environment has stated.

As well, a benefits agreement must be negotiated with the provincial government, with amendments to the 2007 White Rose Expansion Project Framework Agreement signed off on by government before construction begins.

Finally, the project must be released by the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, and must be released from federal-level review before work begins.